Just A Random Story

chaptre 8

~Kloe's pov~

He looked nervous. Good. A twisted knot of satisfaction curled in my stomach; I'd rather see him anxious than exultant about speaking to her. Kendra hadn't answered yet, and part of me secretly hoped she wouldn't at all. But the other part—the darker, more vindictive side—craved the moment she would realize I had won.

"Kendra?... It's me." His voice trembles slightly, a mixture of uncertainty and desperation. He glances over at me, and I can see the worry etched across his features, shadows of doubt lurking beneath the surface. I reach for his hand, squeezing it just enough to offer a semblance of support. He manages a weak smile in return, though the fear still flickers in his eyes like a candle in the wind.

"Kendra? Are you there?" The concern in his voice deepens, and I instinctively pull my hand back, a pout forming on my lips at his unease. He turns to me, his expression akin to that of a wounded puppy, and a pang of guilt washes over me.

I shouldn't be so hard on him. He's navigating a storm I can't fully comprehend, yet the jealousy simmers beneath my skin—a persistent itch I can't scratch away.

When I finally grasp his hand again, he visibly relaxes, ready to confront the chaos that is Kendra. "Um, I just... wanted to tell you what happened... because you deserve to hear it... from me." His gaze holds mine, unwavering and sincere, and for a fleeting moment, I wish I could lift the burden of his past, to ease the weight he carries. I want to hug him tight, whispering reassurances that everything will be okay—that I'm here and won't let that woman hurt him anymore.

In the distance, I can't quite catch Kendra's words, but her voice rises, filled with fury. Good. She's upset. The moment she hangs up, the silence that follows is almost palpable, heavy in the air like the calm before a storm.

He sets the phone down, turning to me with a look of deep sadness. Does he miss her? "She said she hoped you were worth leaving a family behind." I search his eyes, desperate to discern his feelings, but they are a labyrinth I can't navigate. The uncertainty infuriates me; I need to know what he's thinking.

"Am I worth it?" The question slips from my lips before I can rein it in, and I cringe at how selfish it sounds. He's suffering from the weight of leaving his family, and here I am, drowning in my insecurities.

He cradles my face in his hands, his fingers brushing over my cheeks with a tenderness that sends shivers down my spine. The intensity in his eyes ignites something within me, a longing so fierce I feel it could consume me whole. But I can't give in—not yet.

"You are worth everything," he declares, his voice a steady anchor in the swirling chaos around us. "I'm sorry I still feel bad about Kendra. It's not that I love her; I gave her three years of my life. I cared for her, but it wasn't love. I couldn't give her my heart because it belonged to you. It has always belonged to you. You are worth it. I'd leave a hundred families for you. I'd give up anything if it meant I could spend eternity with you. I truly, truly love you. I want to be with you always. An eternity! I love you! I love you! I love you!"

His forehead rests against mine, and the world around us fades into insignificance, leaving only the two of us in this fragile moment. His eyes are closed, and he holds my face as if I'm the most precious thing in the universe. "I love you, Kloe. Please."

I can't hold back any longer. I need to feel his warmth envelop me, to melt into his embrace. I let myself fall into him, capturing his lips with mine. It's not just our mouths that connect; it feels as if our very souls intertwine, merging in a blissful union. When we part, I wrap my arms around his shoulders, pulling him close, yearning to become part of him.

"I love you too," I whisper, so softly I fear he might not hear me. But he must, for he tightens his grip around me, and I feel the rapid beating of his heart against my chest, racing in tandem with my own. I hope he can feel mine too—a chaotic rhythm echoing the love that binds us together.

The air crackles with unspoken words, a potent mixture of hope and fear lingering between us. For a moment, nothing else matters. Not Kendra, not the past—only the promise of what could be, if we dare to grasp it tightly.